Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-04-08
A PRAIRIE STORY.

Noon glared upon the wide, scared
flats and the rickety buildings of Plain
vile. 1t was the midday of that brief
season-the "Saint Martins Summer
of the Frenchman-which, between
November and December, lends a pass
ing brightness to the sky and warmth
to the air. Not a flake of snow lay on
the withered grass; no frost had yet
bound the soil; only the long howl of
the gale, morning and evening ug-
gested the period of storms. Even old
settlers, those stanch champions of
the superior days that were, owned the
matchleSs beauty and serenity of the
season.
The desolate station hustled that day
with unusual activity. Ponies were
fastened, singly or in groups, at the
different hitching-places. Men were
saddling them, l~oosening straps, adjust
ing buckles, ordering, criticising,
chatting n another in the reckless
fashion of the West, where they joke
yer everything, from a murder up to
an Indian raid. That the present
excitement, however, had a slighter
cause might be inferred from the
crowds unchecked and extravaganza
mirth
They were to have started at sunrise,
and of course were nearly ready by
noo Having waited SO long the party
moved an adjournment for dinner. The
proposition finding favor sundry fires
were kindled,' and the air made fra
grant with the steam of boiling coffee
and frying pork. Talk flew back and
forth, 1.-THE rough cook showed about
The keen wit of the frontiers is keenest
at meal times. Dinner being dispatch
ed, the last l~oiterer was springing to
the saddle when a boy of about Is,
mounted on a weary-looking white
pony, rode up to the group.
1.-The Lord save usr' growled a tall
fellow to his neighbor' ''Ef thar amt
Jimmy Rowell, always late and never
left I'll be-blessed, eff Wouldn't like
to give the little rooster a shakin' fer
his impotence"
Don't tell him so,'' returned the
other, laughing shortly. ..Let's ride
on, Jake"
Mot much" said Jake, facing the
newcomer with a scowl, meant to be
impressive.
Long Jake's scowl was calculated to
make an impression. He was a lean.
dark-browed fellow, with a skin hard
and brown as leather, deep-set, keen
black eyes, and a struggling black
beard. One cheek was strangely de-
formed by along, repulsive seal which,
perhaps, gave rise to the report that he
had once been a guerrilla. He had not
been long in that district, and, though
expert in the arts of the cattle-camp.
was not a general favorite.
To Jim Rowell he had taken a posi-
tive dislike, as cordially returned. The
two seldom met without a wordy skir-
mish. in which the elder was often
worsted, to the great delight of his
comrades. Jim, with his daring spirit,
his bold, ready replies, and uncommon
''smartness," was a kind of pet among
them-a position not always tending to
further his best interests.
"Well, Jim," announced Jake, SOL
EMMY. "ef I'd a boy with no more
than you've got I'd kill him while
he was easy to kill, that's all. What's
up now" -.
1'Nothing." retorted the boy, quietly
peeling his willow switch, 'sexcept that
they're going to hang you in the morn
ing"
A burst of laughter greeted this
speech, and the herder, turning his
horses head, rode off at full speed,
Jimmy and his friends following suit.
"'What brought you up in such a
hurry young MANI" asked the stout,
jolly AiThompson. ..Did you hear
where we were going?"
''No," answered Jimmy, rather
gioomily. "a little girls been lost
down our way, and they're hunting for
her everywhere. l thought somebody
round here might have seer her.
Where are all you fellows going any
how? Far?'
'.Well, should rather jedge so. You
know old Abe?"
:sThat big brindle steer 70 one can
catch?"
"The same. Tom jenkins calls him
his'n, but l b'lieye he was with Iniuns
afore he come on this range. 1t don't
matter. He might b'long to the devil.
for no fence kin STAN agin him. Well,
we're all agoin' to hunt him down, and
you bet we'll have some fun?'
Il wish | could co." sighed Jimmy.
"Come right along, Them was the
mans invitation, turning his bearded
face full on the hesitating listener.
This is the very best chance to find the
i;t<lo n;rl and vnur folE. 1oolas4 ..-